Cleaning Ear Plugs

[Garufa]

How do y'all go about cleaning ear plugs? 

 

There's got to be a more elegant way than just rubbing that funky stuff off and smearing it somewhere.  :lol:

[TripleDigitRide]

I clean my ears on a daily basis, so I haven't had an issue with dirty ear plugs.

[Troutburger]

I clean them by throwing them away and getting a fresh pair...

But there is always the range trip where you have to dig a crusty pair out of the bottom of the range bag...

 

I have been told licking is an appropriate cleaning method.

[tartanphantom]

For reusable plugs, an old toothbrush dipped in hydrogen peroxide does a great job.

 

Hydrogen peroxide emulsifies earwax like nobody's business-- I only wish it smelled more like Hoppe's #9. :)

Edited December 23, 2013 by tartanphantom

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Peroxide. Or an old pill bottle filled with 91 percent rubbing alcohol. Just set em in the bottle til time to use em again.

[Guest Bonedaddy]

I just run'm through the washin' machine with my clothes, leavin'm in a pocket and squeeze'm out real good after they're done. They'll swell a bit but still useable. Or I chunk'm. One or the other.

[peejman]

Other than accidentally putting them through the wash, I just toss them and get more. We have big bins of the foam plugs at work.

If I had fancy molded plugs, I soap and water.

[Oh Shoot]

Washed and dried in a sock works very well.

 

- OS

[Dolomite`s Breezy]

Keeping them in alcohol is not a good way to store them..It will break them down.

 

get a small jar with a lid..hot water and some soap..and shake  it for a bit..then rinse and you are done.

dry them and store..

 

 

You need a good pair of Peltors..:)

so do we..actually...

[Raoul]

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[Guest Lester Weevils]

Keeping them in alcohol is not a good way to store them..It will break them down.

Maybe alcohol would break down foam plugs. I had it in my mind the various plugs that appear to be silicone rubber. I've indefinitely soaked silicone rubber CPAP nose plugs and mask seals for years in 91 percent isopropyl and it just doesn't break em down in my experience. They stay flexible and usable.

[tnhawk]

I usually throw them away as I have plenty of new ones available from work. 

[Oh Shoot]

Maybe alcohol would break down foam plugs. I had it in my mind the various plugs that appear to be silicone rubber. I've indefinitely soaked silicone rubber CPAP nose plugs and mask seals for years in 91 percent isopropyl and it just doesn't break em down in my experience. They stay flexible and usable.

 

Yeah, whatever the Howard Leight type are, the slick, non-porous ones. They're the only kind that really seal for me, have to compress 'em correctly and then hold 'em in till they expand. Never found anything as effective, including my electronic ones and the custom molded ones either.. Drawback is can't hear anything at all to speak of.

 

- OS

Edited December 25, 2013 by Oh Shoot